Smelt, Antonia Fh; Gussekloo, Jacobijn; Bermingham, Lynette W; Allen, Elizabeth; Dangour, Alan D; Eussen, Simone Jpm; Favrat, Bernard; De Groot, Lisette Cpgm; Kok, Frans J; Kwok, Timothy; +8 more... Mangoni, Arduino A; Ntaios, George; Van De Rest, Ondine; Seal, Eric; Vaucher, Paul; Verhoef, Petra; Stijnen, Theo; Den Elzen, Wendy Pj; (2018) The effect of vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation on routine haematological parameters in older people: an individual participant data meta-analysis. European journal of clinical nutrition, 72 (6). pp. 785-795. ISSN 0954-3007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0118-x
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Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Low vitamin B12 and folate levels in community-dwelling older people are usually corrected with supplements. However, the effect of this supplementation on haematological parameters in older persons is not known. Therefore, we executed a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials (RCTs). SUBJECTS/METHODS: We performed a systematic search in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane and CENTRAL for RCTs published between January 1950 and April 2016, where community-dwelling elderly (60+ years) who were treated with vitamin B12 or folic acid or placebo. The presence of anaemia was not required. We analysed the data on haematological parameters with a two-stage IPD meta-analysis. RESULTS: We found 494 full papers covering 14 studies. Data were shared by the authors of four RCTs comparing vitamin B12 with placebo (n = 343) and of three RCTs comparing folic acid with placebo (n = 929). We found no effect of vitamin B12 supplementation on haemoglobin (change 0.00 g/dL, 95% CI: -0.19;0.18), and no effect of folic acid supplementation (change -0.09 g/dL, 95% CI: -0.19;0.01). The effects of supplementation on other haematological parameters were similar. The effects did not differ by sex or by age group. Also, no effect was found in a subgroup of patients with anaemia and a subgroup of patients who were treated >4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence on the effects of supplementation of low concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate on haematological parameters in community-dwelling older people is inconclusive. Further research is needed before firm recommendations can be made concerning the supplementation of vitamin B12 and folate.
Item Type | Article |
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Faculty and Department |
Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health > Dept of Medical Statistics Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health > Dept of Population Health (2012- ) |
Research Centre | Centre for Maternal, Reproductive and Child Health (MARCH) |
PubMed ID | 29520083 |
ISI | 434341800001 |
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